Changes to Publix coupon policy

[tbbucs03]

I was in Kennesaw Georgia at the beginning of January and shopped at a couple Publix's getting a deal on Prego and doubling some other $.50 coupons which I can't do in Florida. While getting a rain check, my BFF and I were talking to the manager and he also said they were trying to make all stores uniform when it comes to coupons and bogo deals. The differences between Georgia and Florida stores are huge. We both wondered what changes would be made and what policy's would remain the same. Being a Florida company, I'm hoping our policy stays the same but I sure wouldn't mind having a store that doubles either.

[rsanmat]

I live in Poinciana and I really hate that Publix. They are the worst with rules. Half the time they don't know what they are talking about. BUT when I do go in if I have to I see the manager first and ask if my coupons will be accept before I shop.

Usually don't have issues at this store; though I avoid some cashiers like the plague. I complained a couple of weeks ago regarding their coupon policy and I told the manager --- if their coupon policy changed from shift to shift or cashier to cashier, told him how frustrating it is when its okay in the morning and then by the evening its a big deal.

Lets see what happens.

[Mom2Natalya]

if i was running publix and i wanted to cut corners on the coupon policy, i would start with the double coupons ....

Well, I can tell you that isn't going to happen. lol. All the major supermarkets in TN/GA, etc, double coupons with a face value up to $.50. To be even remotely competitive to other grocers like Kroger, they have to offer doubles.

[chrisk8]

Yes and it's really frustrating to be able to use it one week and come back a week later and told no.

I hope Publix corp clarifies with stores on how to handle competitor Qs

Me too. Also, I'd like to see a chain-wide rule on using Publix coupons (can you or can't you use more than 1 like coupon per order?), a list of accepted competitors (so sick of it varying from one cashier to another within the same store!), etc.

I went to a Publix that I don't usually shop at today, and the cashier told me that the changes to the coupon policy are coming in March. They already had a meeting about it, but she couldn't recall many details. Since the 1 coupon on a BOGO deal is the main thing that bothers me right now, I asked about that and she said that she had heard that. She didn't sound entire confident, but I'd say that it's a decent possibility that they did say that in her meeting.

IMHO one coupon on a BOGO deal will effectively drive business to competitors such as Winn Dixie. Perhaps that is what Publix wants to do, though? They had this "open" coupon policy of taking competitors, using 2 coupons on a BOGO (4 if store coupons are involved), etc. but when it got unmanageable due to an increase in couponing/poor economy, perhaps they looked for a way to get the couponers out of their stores

[jbrookew1]

Hi - I coupon/shop at Publix on Folly Rd in Charleston, SC frequently. I am known as "the coupon lady!" LOL. Anyway, the point is that last night the main store manager and another manager saw me come in and pulled me aside to let me know that a new coupon policy had come down from corporate to the Charleston county Publixes. They went on to explain it with the only 2 changes being

1.they will no longer accept RiteAid, Walgreens, CVS as competitor q's
2. They WILL begin to accept Target q's as competitor (some Publixes in Chalreston already do but some, like mine, do not; it's YMMV)

I asked what brought on these changes and they said that it was because so many couponers have been complaining to corporate that Publix needs an official coupon policy. I asked when would this new policy be implemented in Charleston Publixes and they said "now." They also went on to explain that they were "beginning to let the couponers and cashiers know."

There still is no official Publix coupon policy that can be referrenced. It's totally YMMV. I just wanted to report to everybody what my experience was yesterday. For me, I can't go into that particular Publix anymore and use my Walgreens q's after being specifically told not to. But, if somebody else tried the same thing with a cashier that hasn't been told yet then the coupon may still be accepted. Who knows. I am going to try some other Publixes around here to test the water because I wonder, too, if they may be specifically singling out "Coupon Ladies," like myself, and telling us that there is a new policy not to take certain competitor q's anymore because they think we use them too much. This supposed "new policy" may be another case of YMMV and my store manager is actually telling me that it's his policy essentially. As a matter of fact, i wonder if it really IS a new "policy" because he still let me use all my Riteaid and Wags coupons yesterday. He said, "just this one last time." So what's up with that? Is it a policy or isn't it?

AND when i went to checkout i didn't say anything to my cashier about the new coupon policy and she accepted all my coupons and did not question any of the RiteAid or Wags q's. So obviously noone had told her of this supposed new policy.

So, we'll see! If anyone in the Charleston area hears anything in their Publix please post/share.

[Dengineer]

3. Will only be able to use one coupon on a BOGO; their reasoning is why
get xx off on a "free item". I asked more about that and that is what it
sounded like.

I'm guessing/hoping this policy will be on true BOGOs. Here in AL we get each item in a BOGO for half price, so it's not free.

My stores already don't accept Rite Aid, Walgreens or CVS right now--despite the fact that the store I shop at the most has a Walgreens in it's parking lot.

[rahmom]

Publix wouldn't take a Winn Dixie $/$$ coupon from you because you need to have a WD "rewards card" to use one? That's crazy. Wouldn't that just drive customers right to WD? My take on the entire competitor coupon policy is that Publix wants to keep customers shopping at Publix instead of going elsewhere, so refusing a coupon because of a "customer card" is just plain crazy.

I had this happen to me a long time ago but I just told them that you have to have a WD card to shop at WD (to get the sale prices) an they accepted it.

[nrpeace17]

If they decide that they will no longer allow the use of a mfr coupon on the second item of the BOGO, I find that unfair. The BOGO promotion is in essence a half price sale, and is rung up as the second item being free here in FL. In other states it is rung up as each item half price, so a coupon can be used on each item. The Fl folks would be penalized for the way in which Publix rings up their store promotions in our state, which is beyond our control. Although the second item is free, the purchase of a BOGO is indeed the purchase of two items for which a store promotion is applied. Publix allows the stacking of a store coupon and mfr per item purchased, so why not the use of a mfr for the free store promotional item? That doesn't make sense.

[Luckygirl77]

I would want to see a new policy. I just asked today my local Publix if they would take Target coupon and they said no- N. University Drive, Tamarac, FL

[mollysmom]

If they decide that they will no longer allow the use of a mfr coupon on the second item of the BOGO, I find that unfair. The BOGO promotion is in essence a half price sale, and is rung up as the second item being free here in FL. In other states it is rung up as each item half price, so a coupon can be used on each item. The Fl folks would be penalized for the way in which Publix rings up their store promotions in our state, which is beyond our control. Although the second item is free, the purchase of a BOGO is indeed the purchase of two items for which a store promotion is applied. Publix allows the stacking of a store coupon and mfr per item purchased, so why not the use of a mfr for the free store promotional item? That doesn't make sense.

A DM here in Central Fl once told me it was better for them to take a coupon for the free item because at least then they get that $$ back on the item they gave you free. Makes sense to me.